February 27, 2015 – Codigo Films is pleased to announce the 2015 SXSW premiere and screenings for the exceptional new music documentary film We Like It Like That on March 18, 20 and 21 as part of the24 Beats Per Second section of the festival. Directed by Mathew Ramirez Warren, the film tells the story of Latin boogaloo, a colorful expression of 1960s Latino soul, straight from the streets of New York City. From its origins to its recent resurgence, it’s the story of a sound that redefined a generation and was too funky to keep down. http://schedule.sxsw.com/2015/events/event_FS18009

Director Mathew Ramirez Warren skillfully captures this unique and influential NYC music period through original interviews, music recordings, live performances, dancing and rare archival footage and images. We Like It Like That explores this fascinating, though often overlooked, bridge in Latin music history, showcasing the musical style that was born in the barrios of NYC and would eventually spawn a generation of chart-topping music artists and a global music movement that is once again alive and well today.

In the 1960s, a generation of musicians from East Harlem, the South Bronx and parts of Brooklyn fused Afro-Cuban music with R&B, jazz, funk and rock to create Latin boogaloo. It was a period of revolution and social awakening and young Latinos in search of their identity adopted Latin boogaloo as their soundtrack. Once on the verge of leaving Latin music behind, the city’s young Latinos came to appreciate the music’s roots through boogaloo. But as salsa, a more traditional style of Latin music, grew in popularity by the 1970s, some say the Latin boogaloo was killed off, not by the fans, but by cultural and industry politics.

Much of this music was released by Alegre, Cotique and Fania Records during the 1960s and 70s.

By the 2000s, after decades of obscurity, the artists who made Latin boogaloo popular finally began to get the recognition they deserved, with the help of DJs and new bands that pay tribute to the genre.

The cast of musicians and their personal stories told in We Like it Like That are as vibrant and enduring as the unforgettable rhythms they created. Some of the notable artists include Joe Bataan, a former gang leader who spent several years in prison before starting a band and becoming known as the “King of Latin Soul” and continues to be one of the most popular and active Latin boogaloo luminaries working today; Ricardo Ray, a Juilliard trained piano player who along with his singer, Bobby Cruz, recorded the first known Latin boogaloo “Lookie, Lookie” and went on to enjoy international fame in Latin music; Jimmy Sabater, the late singer and percussionist for the Joe Cuba Sextet who helped write “Bang Bang,” the first boogaloo song to break through as a national hit; Pete Rodriguez, the bandleader whose group created “I Like it Like That,” the biggest Latin boogaloo hit of the 1960s and a repeat chart topper when it was covered in the 1990s.

The film will premiere on Wed. March 18 at the Stateside Theatre (719 Congress Avenue) from

Each screening will be followed by a 15-minute Q&A panel discussion with the director and select cast attending.

On March 21, a special “We Like it Like That” Latin boogaloo panel will also be held at the Austin Convention Center Room (17B 500 E Cesar Chavez St.) from 12:30pm-1:30pm, moderated by Felix Contreras from NPR with the king of Latin Soul - Joe Bataan, prolific boogaloo songwriter and producer - Bobby Marin, and film director Mathew Ramirez Warren.

Codigo Films is a division of Codigo Group, an entertainment company based in Miami. Codigo Group is home to more than 3,000 albums, five feature films and countless artifacts from the Latin music home during the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. This includes the iconic Fania Records who is often referred to as the Motown of Latin Music. www.fania.com

Fania Records, the historic Latin music label whose artist roster has included a galaxy of chart-topping and iconic stars, and Remezcla and Venezuelan street food purveyors Santa Salsaare teaming up to celebrate the label’s 50th anniversary in NYC this summer by presenting ARMADA FANIA, a summer-long DJ/live music series June 19-August 30.

The final Armada Fania event of the Summer is at the beach! Come join acts like Las Nenas Rudas (Azucar!) and Avenida B plus special guests as Fania Records and Remezcla celebrate 50 years of the best in Salsa, Boogaloo, and New York Latin music. JUST ANNOUNCED: The secret headliner for is Quantic!

August 14, 2014 – Fania Records will close out its summer long 50th anniversary celebration series in NYC with Armada Fania at SummerStage in Central Park on SundayAugust 24 from 6:00pm-10:00pm, doors at 5:00pm. The DJ tribute to Fania will be a classic New York dance party in the Park, headlined by world renown DJ/producer and Fania master remixer Joaquin “Joe” Claussell, known globally for his stellar work with the groundbreaking “Hammock House” remix series, which includes three installments: Africa Caribe, The Lower East Side, and The Eastbound L. Each release features remixes that creatively fuse vintage Fania tracks and traditional Latin grooves with House, Afro Caribbean and other Dance/Electronica rhythms and beats. Also on the lineup are Boston-based dj/producer duo The Whiskey Barons (whose Latin/tropical/funk-flavored Funky Sabrosomix was also released this year by Fania) and NYC's own veteran DJ/radio host Bobbito Garcia a.k.a Kool Bob Love. Since June 14, Fania and SummerStage, a program of City Parks Foundation, have presented 25 events including concerts, theater, dance and movies across parks in the five boroughs.

Since June 19, the ARMADA FANIA DJ/live music pop-up series has been taking over select venues across NYC from SOBs to Nublu to Over the Eight and Meridian 23, as part of the 50th anniversary series as well. Co-presented with Remezcla and sponsored Don Q Rum, the series has featured acclaimed DJs and live bands known for their expertise in the diverse sounds of Fania, from Latin boogaloo to salsa to afrocuban. Each ARMADA FANIA event also includes a special retail pop-up, where fans can find the newest Fania-branded merchandise including tees, hats and boxed sets. Please visit www.fania.com for additional times and details on all events.

Additional ARMADA FANIA summer events are as follows:

Sun August 24th at SOBs DJ sets with The Whiskey Barons and DJ Wasabi (SummerStage after party)

Thurs August 28th at Apt 78 Pa’lante party

Fri August 29th at Santa Salsa Far Rockaway Beach Live performance from Avenida B and DJ set from Las Nenas Rudas (Azucar)

ABOUT FANIA

Fania Records is probably the most transcendental label in the history of Latin music. Home to a roster of iconic music stars, these artists offered a cornucopia of styles that surpassed the boundaries of traditional Latin music and set the path for the genres of Latin big band, Afro-Cuban jazz, boogaloo, salsa and Latin R&B. By bringing together the eclectic vision of Dominican bandleader Johnny Pacheco with the business savvy of Lawyer Jerry Masucci, Fania created a unique sound: the apex of tropical music, combined with the swing of big band jazz and the gritty vibe of American R&B. The label provided an artistic heaven for a young generation of musicians who were inspired to experiment with new musical formats. It also gave birth to a musical group, the legendary Fania All Stars that changed the history of Latin Music. www.fania.com

ABOUT SUMMERSTAGE:

SummerStage, a program of City Parks Foundation, is New York’s largest free performing arts festival, bringing over 100 free performances to 14 parks throughout the five boroughs. With performances ranging from American pop, Latin and World music to dance, comedy and theater, SummerStage fills a vital niche in New York City’s summer arts festival landscape. Since its inception twenty-nine years ago, more than six million people from New York City and around the world have enjoyed SummerStage. The festival runs from June 3rd to August 24th. www.SummerStage.org #SummerStageFania

ABOUT DESTILERIA SERRALLES, INC.:

As one of America’s oldest family-owned and operated businesses, Destilería Serrallés has been producing some of the world’s leading premium rums for over 149 years. Its flagship brand Don Q, Puerto Rico’s premium rum is the #1 selling rum brand on the island and is distributed by Serrallés USA, LLC. Don Q’s portfolio includes: Don Q Cristal, Don Q Gold, Don Q Añejo, Don Q Gran Añejo, Don Q Limón, Don Q Coco, Don Q Mojito and Don Q Pasión. Don Q rums have been awarded and praised in the most recognized competitions throughout the world, including the 5 Star Diamond Award for Don Q Gran Añejo by the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences. Please visit us at www.donq.com

ABOUT REMEZCLA

In 2006, REMEZCLA [reh-mehz-kla] was founded as a grassroots movement of young Latino writers and artists seeking to document the emerging scenes of Latin culture. We became the voice for the undiscovered and the overlooked. Today, Remezcla has expanded to become the Latin cultural platform for music and creative projects in the US and Latin America. For the new generation of young Latino hybrids, we are creating a new standard for how to discover, experience and elevate emerging Latin culture. Remezcla is multicountry, multilingual, multicolored, and multipurpose – both a resource and a platform, both roots and future.

For various reasons including timing and recording issues, Fania today has confirmed that the Fania All Stars concert set for Aug 24 has unfortunately been cancelled. Tickets will be refunded automatically by Ticketmaster, for any questions or concerns please contact Ticketmaster. We want to thank all the fans who showed their support.

June 6th, 2014 – Fania Records, the historic Latin music label whose artist roster has included a galaxy of chart-topping and iconic stars, and Remezcla are teaming up to celebrate the label’s 50th anniversary in NYC this summer by presenting ARMADA FANIA, a summer-long DJ/live music series June 19-August 28. The series will feature acclaimed DJs/producers and bands known for their groovy sets, remixes and creative reinterpretations of Fania styles from Latin boogaloo to salsa dura to Latin soul.

The series will launch June 19 at SOBs with a dynamic set from the legendary DJRich Medina, known worldwide for his sonic journeys through hip-hop, house, Latin, Afrobeat, funk and soul over the past 20 years, and an opening set by Geko Jones , co-founder of the tropical/cumbia flavored Que Bajo?! party and Dutty Artz label. Other exciting ARMADA FANIA DJ nights will include special editions of the popular monthly BOOGALOO! party at Nublu, hosted by Latin boogaloo expert DJ Turmix, featuring vinyl-only DJ sets and special live performances by Ray Lugo and the Boogaloo Destroyers (7/11) and The Boogaloo Assassins (8/1); the popular uptown Pa’Lante Party,featuring resident DJ Christian Mártir.

Each ARMADA FANIA event will also include a special retail pop-up, where fans can find the newest Fania-branded merchandise including tees, hats and boxed sets.

The ARMADA FANIA schedule is as follows – go to www.fania.com for additional event updates:

In 2006, REMEZCLA [reh-mehz-kla] was founded as a grassroots movement of young Latino writers and artists seeking to document the emerging scenes of Latin culture. We became the voice for the undiscovered and the overlooked. Today, Remezcla has expanded to become the Latin cultural platform for music and creative projects in the US and Latin America. For the new generation of young Latino hybrids, we are creating a new standard for how to discover, experience and elevate emerging Latin culture. Remezcla is multicountry, multilingual, multicolored, and multipurpose – both a resource and a platform, both roots and future.

ABOUT FANIA

Fania Records is probably the most transcendental label in the history of Latin music. Home to a roster of iconic music stars, these artists offered a cornucopia of styles that surpassed the boundaries of traditional Latin music and set the path for the genres of Latin big band, Afro-Cuban jazz, boogaloo, salsa and Latin R&B. By bringing together the eclectic vision of Dominican bandleader Johnny Pacheco with the business savvy of Lawyer Jerry Masucci, Fania created a unique sound: the apex of tropical music, combined with the swing of big band jazz and the gritty vibe of American R&B. The label provided an artistic heaven for a young generation of musicians who were inspired to experiment with new musical formats. It also gave birth to a musical group, the legendary Fania All Stars, that changed the history of Latin Music. www.fania.com.

Description: Fania Records, the legendary New York label that pioneered salsa, has often been called the Latin Motown and responsible of producing some of the biggest names in Salsa music history- Celia Cruz, Hector Lavoe, Ruben Blades, The Fania All Stars and many more. Only Caliente brings you another installment of this monthly show called, the “Fania Revolution” hosted by “Ismael Miranda”. In this show, listen to Ismael describe how he got together with Larry Harlow and the beginnings of working with his orchestra. You will hear intimate stories about the beginning of their relationship and what Larry has meant to Ismael’s career. Who better to take you on the journey than salsa legend and Fania artist, Ismael Miranda! Listen to the stories and memories of this milestone moment in Latino music history as told through the eyes of the man who lived it.

On-Air Time: 5/31 @11AM (ET)

Rebroadcasts: 6/6 @ 9PM (ET)

Channel:Rumbon

Title: “Fania Revolution with Salsa Icon Ismael Miranda”

Description: Fania Records, the legendary New York label that pioneered salsa, has often been called the Latin Motown and responsible of producing some of the biggest names in Salsa music history- Celia Cruz, Hector Lavoe, Ruben Blades, The Fania All Stars and many more. Only Rumbon brings you another installment of this monthly show called, the “Fania Revolution” hosted by “Ismael Miranda”. In this show, listen to Ismael describe how he got together with Larry Harlow and the beginnings of working with his orchestra. You will hear intimate stories about the beginning of their relationship and what Larry has meant to Ismael’s career. Who better to take you on the journey than salsa legend and Fania artist, Ismael Miranda! Listen to the stories and memories of this milestone moment in Latino music history as told through the eyes of the man who lived it.

*Milestone anniversary celebrations launching in June to feature concert/DJ series, dance performances, film screenings and other special events including a Central Park concert with the Fania All Stars* *Fania release digital album series to accompany summer long anniversary events*

May 14. 2014--Fania Records, the historic Latin music label whose artist roster over the past fifty years has included a galaxy of chart-topping and iconic stars, will return to its New York City roots this summer to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Partnering with SummerStage, a program of City Parks Foundation, Fania Records will curate an exciting citywide program starting in June that will feature concert series, dance and theater performances, film screenings and other unique events all paying homage to the label’s storied ascent in New York City. The series will end with a ticketed concert by the Fania All Stars in Central Park August 24.

The anniversary programming will also showcase the new wave of music artists and DJs that have embraced the Fania sound and re-imagined classic musical styles for a younger fan base worldwide. Additionally, Fania will also release a series of eight digital albums from May through September to accompany the thematic events being lined up from salsa to boogaloo. Each album will feature key tracks from the list of well-known and newer artists that are performing in the program throughout the summer, such as Roberto Roena, Louie Vega, New Swing Sextet and La Mecanica Popular.

“The SummerStage series is one of best Summer concert series in the world,” said Michael Rucker, Chief Marketing Officer at Codigo Group. “We are thrilled to be a part of this Summer’s series and couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate this iconic label’s 50th Anniversary.”

“I am honored and excited to be curating a celebration in honor of such an important label and cultural movement," said Erika Elliott, Artistic Director for City Parks Foundation. “Fania Records is such an iconic institution that resonates particularly with New Yorkers. As a festival we believe in celebrating cultural movements with distinct origins in New York City, but that have made an impact worldwide – I can think of no better example than FANIA.”

The Fania 50th Anniversary celebration at SummerStage will kick off on Saturday, June 14 at SummerStage in Central Park, with an outstanding lineup featuring Roberto Roena y Su Apollo Sound, La Mecanica Popular and DJ Louie Vega. Other events in Central Park will include a performance by Ballet Hispanico on July 16, anda special performance of John Leguizamo’s acclaimed one man show “Ghetto Klown” at on July 28, and to close the series a special ticketed evening with the legendary Fania All Stars on Sunday Aug. 24.

Over ten other concert/DJ events will be held throughout the boroughs including a performance by The New Swing Sextet at Crotona Park in the Bronx June 24; Tony Vega at Saint Mary’s in the Bronx July 8; Jose Alberto "El Canario" at Saint Mary’s in the Bronx on July 9; Domingo Quinones at Saint Mary’s in the Bronx on July 10; an evening of latin boogaloo with Joe Bataan, Boogaloo Assassins and DJ Turmix at Clove Lakes on Staten Islandon July 31; and Tipica 73 with Adalberto Santiago and the Williamsburg Salsa Orchestra at East River Park in Manhattan on Aug. 5. There will also be several film/music events including Bobby Sanabria& Film: A Screening of “Chico and Rita” in Marcus Garvey Park in Manhattan on Aug. 13. All Fania citywide music programs will also feature free salsa dance instruction on site from 6-7pm.

Other exciting Fania offerings will includea dance performances by Ballet Hispanico's second company, BHdos at Saint Mary’s Park in the Bronx July 11; the Nuyorican Poets Café’s 40th anniversary celebration/special screening of “Our Latin Thing” in East River Park in Manhattan on Aug. 17; and two family programs with David Gonzales at Saint Mary’s July 13 in the Bronx and Moona Luna at Marcus Garvey Park in Manhattan on Aug. 17.

About Fania:

Fania Records is probably the most transcendental label in the history of Latin music. Home to a roster of iconic music stars, these artists offered a cornucopia of styles that surpassed the boundaries of traditional Latin music and set the path for the genres of Latin big band, Afro-Cuban jazz, boogaloo, salsa and Latin R&B. By bringing together the eclectic vision of Dominican bandleader Johnny Pacheco with the business savvy of Lawyer Jerry Masucci, Fania created a unique sound: the apex of tropical music, combined with the swing of big band jazz and the gritty vibe of American R&B. The label provided an artistic heaven for a young generation of musicians who were inspired to experiment with new musical formats. It also gave birth to a musical group, the legendary Fania All Stars, that changed the history of Latin Music. The widely successful Fania All Stars brought together several of the label’s most popular artists like Hector Lavoe, Willie Colon, Celia Cruz, Ray Barretto, Ismael Miranda, Ruben Blades, Cheo Feliciano, and Roberto Roena among many others. The albums recorded from the early '70s to the mid-'80s went beyond the parameters of so-called "salsa" - taking Latin music to unsuspected levels of sophistication. Their music was heard from the streets of El Barrio in New York, to the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe and Africa. Today, the label works on reaching out to a younger generation of fans by partnering with DJs in different genres to create remixes from the classics everyone loves to usher in a new era for Fania. All these new acts working together with the All Stars will be the centerpiece for this year’s 50th anniversary celebration. www.fania.com.

About SummerStage:

SummerStage, a program of City Parks Foundation, is New York’s largest free performing arts festival, bringing over 100 free performances to 14 parks throughout the five boroughs. With performances ranging from American pop, Latin and World music to dance, comedy and theater, SummerStage fills a vital niche in New York City’s summer arts festival landscape. Since its inception twenty-nine years ago, more than six million people from New York City and around the world have enjoyed SummerStage. The festival runs from June 3rd to August 24th. www.SummerStage.org. #SummerStageFania

Description: Fania Records, the legendary New York label that pioneered salsa, has often been called the Latin Motown andresponsible of producing some of the biggest names in Salsa music history- Celia Cruz, Hector Lavoe, Ruben Blades, The Fania All Stars and many more. Only Caliente brings you another installment of this monthly show called, the “Fania Revolution” hosted by “Ismael Miranda”. In this show, listen to stories about the competitiveness among the Fania artists, the stellar performances and recordings created or performed with non-Fania artists like Jorge Santana, Stevie Wonder, and Celia Cruz. Who better to take you on the journey than salsa legend and Fania artist, Ismael Miranda! Listen to the stories and memories of this milestone moment in Latino music history as told through the eyes of the man who lived it.

*New music app and redesigned Fania website to mine storied archives while showcasing new digital direction*

*Series of new digital albums to be released in conjunction with anniversary*

April 24, 2014- Fania Records, the historic Latin music label whose artist roster over the past fifty years has included a galaxy of chart-topping and iconic stars, is fully embracing the digital music landscape, with several exciting new developments that mine their storied archives while also showcasing their innovative new digital direction. As the label enters its 50th year and celebrates a half century of extraordinary music, Fania this week has launched the first ever Latin music app for Spotify, which features Fania’s entire digital catalogue and offers users the ability to continuously discover new releases, play music by top album or track, play music by genre or “moods,” and shuffle an album, mood or genre.

Our music resonates around the world, and the Spotify app allows us to reach a deep collector as well as a new Latin music enthusiast,” says Michael Rucker, Chief Marketing Officer of Fania Records/Codigo Group. “We're thrilled to be the first.”

With a new generation worldwide interested in all things Fania, from trademark logo-emblazoned merchandise available only at the Fania online store to specially curated playlists and DJ remixes to social media-driven pop-up events, the label has unveiled a newly revamped website www.fania.com that caters to the modern Fania fan. The site provides a seamless entry into the Fania universe, including:

- New visually-driven Fania history timeline that shares Fania history and music over the last 50 years

- Listener options, including a section of playlists available by “moods,” whether you are looking for an “energetic” playlist, a “trippy” selection or are in more of a “sentimental” mood!

-Fania Connect, which willconnect and engage the Fania community worldwide by compiling and sharing Fania-related events, news announcements, social media conversations, shared tweets of the week and more through Fania’s robust social media channels.

Additionally, to celebrate the label’s 50th anniversary, Fania is releasing an amazing series of digital-only artist remixes and compilations this spring/summer, starting with the Funky Sabroso Remix from Boston-based DJ/production duo The Whiskey Barons, who are known for updating classic styles of Latin, African, funk, soul, disco, house and more with modern touches. Other artists who will be featured in the summer digital releases will include Ismael Miranda, Fania All Stars, and DJ Joe Claussell. The label has also launched a 50th Anniversary digital series that chronicles the trajectory of the label across the decades, from the 60s (5 Volumes), 70s (8 volumes), and 80s (5 volumes), with two releases a month through August. The albums are available at iTunes for a limited time and at www.fania.com.

Fania Records beloved family member Cheo Feliciano died Thursday morning in a car accident in Puerto Rico. He was 78. Today we celebrate and honor his music legacy.

The defining moment that introduced Cheo into the mambo craze and burgeoning salsa movement happened in New York, when he became the conga player with Conjunto Marianaxi, led by Luis Cruz.

Tito Rodríguez gave him his first opportunity as a singer. It was Rodriguez who actually recommended Cheo Feliciano to the Joe Cuba Sextet, the group he joined in the 1950’s.

The Joe Cuba Sextet became a phenomenon, particularly because of the intensity and versatility of the Sabater-Feliciano combination – unequaled in the history of Latin music.

Later on Cheo met the late Tite “Curet’ Alonso” and Alonso introduced him to Jerry Massuci who signed him as an exclusive artist with Vaya Records.

A successful group of songs, culled from Cheo’s debut LP for the Vaya label including “Anacaona”, “Pa’Que Afinquen”, “Mi Triste Problema” released in the 70’s gave his music a virtual passports to music lovers all over the world. Other recordings of that era include 1979: “Estampa Marina”, “Los Entierros” followed later on by mega hits like “Amada Mia” and other celebrated interpretations.

José ‘Cheo’ Feliciano was the dean of all salsa sing­ers, with over five decades of pure feeling and flavor. Considering his trajectory, Cheo is clearly one of the five most emblematic vocalists in the history of salsa. In no particular order, since each one of these is in a class of his very own, Cheo it was and will continue to be one of the Latin music legends of all times.